The Maternal Health Thematic Fund (MHTF) is UNFPA's flagship programme for accelerating improved maternal health with critical interventions in countries with the highest maternal mortality and morbidity with the aim to strengthen health systems and ensure that women and girls have access to quality maternal health services when and where they need them. In 2015, it supported 39 countries in 5 priority areas: midwifery, emergency obstetric and newborn care, maternal death surveillance & response, obstetric fistula and first-time young mothers.

The 2015 MHTF annual report demonstrates the importance of the Thematic Fund in contributing to the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, promoting health and well-being; and supporting the protection, promotion and fulfillment of the rights of women and girls. The MHTF is strongly positioned to contribute to reaching the new Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 3 and 5 targets, including to reduce maternal mortality, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five, and ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care.